Abstract
The opioid epidemic has become a major issue in the United States. The purpose of this quality improvement project was to improve opioid prescribing practices in a rural primary care clinic by implementing a pain management protocol. The sample included patients of all ages in the practice that were being managed for their chronic pain issues during a 12-week time frame. This project collected pre-intervention data and post intervention data, utilizing a chart review. The quality improvement initiative included provider and staff education, resource identification and support, patient education and implementation of a formalized pain management protocol. Pre-implementation data identified that 11% of the patients treated were treated per the recommended pain management guidelines. Post-implementation data identified that 41% of the patients were treated per the pain management guidelines. Post implementation data also identified that less patients were treated with opioids and 8% of the patient population were denied refills due to noncompliance with the pain management protocol. There is a need for pain management protocols in primary care clinics. The consistent use of a pain management protocol will decrease the amount of controlled substances prescribed, decrease patient dependence on controlled substances and hold patients more accountable for their pain management journey.